I was in LA this past weekend and it was wonderful, as always. I love that city. The sun, the hiking, the views, the food – whats not to love?

We got in on Friday afternoon and went straight to Umami Burger (more to come on that) – delicious!

Saturday was the Celiac Disease Foundation Conference and show – a full day of gluten-free samples! We (French Meadow) sampled our gluten-free tortillas and brownies – always a huge hit!

Sunday we left Universal City and ventured into LA before heading to my cousins for Mexican food and S’muffins! (When in LA, definitely try S’muffins, they are kind of life-changing.)

Monday started off with a hike at Runyon Canyon;

coffee and scones with Lynn (definitely a highlight!);

and some brown rice sushi for lunch. Interestingly enough, whenever I’ve asked for brown rice sushi elsewhere, they tell me it’s not possible. I’m here to say it can be done. Here is the proof:

On our last day, Tuesday, we woke up to rain so our planned morning hike was cancelled and replaced with breakfast. I can’t complain too much.

Whew – what a weekend. Normal life resumes today!

Getting a juicer was beyond exciting for me as I love love LOVE fresh juice, but at $7/juice – it can be a rather expensive habit.

For the most part I love it, but am still learning the ins and outs, what we like in juice (the Taster does NOT like wheat grass powder mixed in) and how different fruits/veggies can change a juice.

Love:

• fresh green juices with whatever ingredients I want!
• not spending $7 for a single juice at the coop
• so easy and fast
• you can use produce that is a little past its prime (an apple that I may hesitate to eat, I have no problem with juicing!)
• when heading out of town I throw in all of the leftover produce – no wasting and love starting a trip or vacation with healthy juice
• starting my day out with a burst of vitamins and nutrients

Learning to Love:

• cleaning up – it isn’t terrible, but our kitchen is somewhat covered in juice pulp (exaggeration)
• the pulp! I need to figure out a way to use it – throwing it away makes me feel like an awful human being

Favorite Juicing Ingredients So Far:

• romaine
• apples
• cucumber
• lemon

Do you like fresh juice?  Do you have any great juice combos?